NEWSWIRE

President outlines special post-strike initiatives for students
Posted on Friday, January 30, 2009

York President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri has issued the following message to students:

By now you have likely heard that the Government of Ontario has legislated an end to the strike by CUPE 3903, and that classes and other academic activities at York will resume on Monday, Feb. 2, 2009. 

I want to take this opportunity to welcome you back, and to assure you that we are doing everything possible to ensure that your return to your studies will be governed by the principles of academic integrity and fairness. 

Details about revised sessional dates and other information about the return to classes can be found on the University’s Web site.

I know that the past 12 weeks have been a very difficult, confusing and frustrating time for our students, and that you are anxious to resume your studies. To ensure that your return to classes is as smooth as possible, and that you are able to successfully complete your year, we are undertaking a number of initiatives, including:

• First Days Back in Vari Hall will provide students with remediation information and referrals to appropriate offices for more detailed information.
• Back to the Books sessions to provide concrete strategies to help students reset timelines, manage stress, and reconnect with academic support services.
• Extending Library hours during the week and on weekends to provide additional study space.
• Expanding counselling services to help students deal with the stress of returning to classes.
• Extending versions of the Counselling & Development Centre’s time management workshops that will provide practical applications and sufficient time to get started on attendees' actual schedules and specific needs.
• Workshops for students with learning disabilities to discuss: 
  • Alternative Exams: Scheduling and Conflicts
  • Petitions - Financial, Late Withdrawals
  • Alternative Evaluation Options
  • Time Management Issues
  • Academic Remediation Issues: What you need to know
• Providing financial assistance through bursaries and awards to students affected by the strike, as well as to students whose enrolment next year may be affected by reduced summer employment earnings.
• Offering individual drop-in sessions with counsellors for students with unresolved personal issues related to the recent strike.

Looking to the future, we will need to work together to rebuild York — the relationships between faculty, teaching assistants, staff and students; the sense of community that makes York what it is; and of course, our reputation in the wider community. 

York is a resilient community, and I look forward to putting this ordeal behind us so that we can move on to achieving our common goals. Most of all, I look forward to welcoming you back on Monday.

Sincerely,

Mamdouh Shoukri
President & Vice-Chancellor